‘Full lockdown’ to remain in force in Turkey on Eid al-Fitr

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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According to the sources from the Interior Ministry, the 'full lockdown' measures will be in effect on Eid al-Fitr to be marked on May 13-15, 2021.

The 'full lockdown' measures were first announced by President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan following a Presidential Cabinet meeting on April 26 amid the surging numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths. The lockdown entered into effect on April 29 at 7 p.m. and it will remain in force until May 17 at 5 a.m.

Within this context, there will reportedly be no easing of lockdown during the three-day Eid al-Fitr, a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims, marking the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan.

Accordingly, as has been the case since April 29, the grocery stores, markets, greengrocers, butcher shops, dried fruit and nut sellers and dessert shops will serve their customers from 10 in the morning to 5 in the evening. As for the bakeries baking bread and businesses licensed as sellers of bakery products, only the branches selling bread will be open during the day.

Citizens, in order to meet their basic needs, will be allowed to go to these workplaces which are located closest to their houses on the condition that they do not use vehicles. The related business will also be able to offer take away services to the addresses between the same hours.

Change in working hours of places to eat and drink

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), as required by the circula letterr of the Ministry of Interior, there will be a change in the working hours of the places to eat and drink and the working hours of the firms offering online food services as of May 13 (tomorrow).

While these places and firms can offer take-away services on a 24-hour basis until the first day of Eid al-Fitr, they will continue to offer these services until 1 a.m. after the Ramadan comes to an end. (TP/SD)